C. I state again that this second Orphan-House is only intended, as the one already built, for children who have been lawfully begotten, who have lost both parents by death, and who are in destitute circumstances; this, however, being the case, children may be received from any place, and the more destitute, the fewer patrons and friends they have to plead their cause, the more likely they are to be received, as neither favour nor partiality is shown in the admission of the children, but their cases are considered in the order in which applications are made. I state again here especially, that no sectarian views prompt me, or even in the least influence me in the reception of children; I do not belong to any sect, and am, therefore, not influenced by sectarianism in the admission of Orphans; but from wheresoever they come, and to whatsoever religions denomination the parents belonged, or with whatever body the persons making application may be connected; and whether those who apply never gave me one penny towards the work, or whether they gave much; it makes no difference in the admission of the children. Now just as it has been thus with regard to the admission of Orphans for more than sixteen years past, so, when God shall be pleased to allow me to accomplish my purpose concerning another Orphan-House, it is still intended to be the same concerning that one also. The New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, is not say Orphan-House, not the Orphan-House of any party or sect, but it is God's Orphan-House, and the Orphan-House for any and every poor destitute Orphan who has lost both parents; provided, of course, there be room in the establishment, and that there be nothing so peculiar in the case of the children as to prevent their being received; and exactly thus it is intended to be, God helping, with regard to the Orphan-House for 700 Orphans, now in contemplation.
Supplies for the School, Bible , Missionary and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852.
At no time during the past eighteen years did I begin a new period with so much money in hand, as was the case at the commencement of this. There was a balance of 809l. 10s. 6d. left for these objects. Long before this balance was expended, however, the Lord was pleased to send in further supplies; so that, during all the year, there did not come before me one single instance in which, according to my judgment, it would have been desirable to help forward Schools or Missionary objects, or the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, but I had always the means in hand for doing so.
I will now notice a few of the more remarkable donations
On the third day already, after the accounts had been closed, May 29, 1851, I received a donation of 150l., of which I took one-half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for these objects. This was the first donation in this new period, and was a precious encouragement to me in the work.
July 8. From May 29th to this day have come in twenty-eight donations, varying from 1d. to 15l. Today I received a donation of 150l. of which the donor kindly wished me to take 10l. for my own personal expenses, and to use the rest as the work of God might require it. As I still had an abundance in hand both for the Orphans and for these objects, I took one-half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for these objects.
Sept. 6. Again fifty-two donations had come in between July 8th and this day, varying from 1d. to 20l., when today a brother who has often manifested his deep interest in the spread of the truth, and who is far from being rich, sent me 80l. for home and foreign labourers in the Word.
Nov. 10. Forty donations have come in for these objects from Sept. 6th to this day, varying from 1 ½ d. to 25l. Today I received 200l., of which, as stated under the particulars given under this date with reference to the Building Fund, I took 80l. for these objects. This donation came in most seasonably; for now the funds for these objects were lower than they had been for the last ten months, as only 113l. remained in hand.
Dec. 21. The funds for these objects were now reduced to 10l. 14s. 5d., as the twenty-two donations from 4d. to 13l., which had come in since Nov. 10th, did not altogether amount to more than 31l. 9s. 4d., and as much money had been expended. The means in hand were therefore far less than they had been at any time during the last sixteen months, when I received this morning from A. Z., a new donor, by the Clifton post, 10l., which, being left to my disposal, I took for these objects.
Dec. 27. Only 1l. 7s. 6d. had come in since the 21st. After the payments of this day were met, there remained only 10s. 4d. in hand.